It appears that after excessive use on humans and the increased use in factory farm animals, antibiotics are becoming useless. The spread of resistant strains is yet another factor that led to the resistance of antibiotics.
“It is not difficult to make microbes resistant to penicillin in the laboratory by exposing them to concentrations not sufficient to kill them,” explained Alexander Fleming, the creator of the first antibiotic, penicillin, back in 1945. “There is the danger that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug make them resistant.”
While bacteria have been present on Earth since the dawn of time, excessive exposure to antibiotics led to rise of superbugs which are resistant to most antibiotic drugs.
Here are some of the herbs and foods that can be used as natural antibiotics:
Honey
As noted by a recent study done by researchers from the Salve Regina University in Newport, Rode Island, raw honey is one of the most potent antibiotics known to mankind. According to the lead author Susan M. Meschwitz, Ph.D, “The unique property of honey lies in its ability to fight infection on multiple levels, making it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance.”
Honey uses different modalities to kill bacteria and it utilizes a combination of weapons like osmotic effect, hydrogen peroxide, and polyphenols.
Colloidal Silver
As explained by Gregory A. Gore, in his book, Defeat Cancer:
Silver was used 1,200 years ago by Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, sailors, and then by the pioneers who populated our country. They used it for various illnesses and to keep their foods and liquids from spoiling. Before 1938, before antibiotics, colloidal silver was used by doctors as their main substance to fight bacteria in a more natural way than through the antibiotics they use today. Antibiotics can harm our kidneys and liver functions. Colloidal silver promotes healing.
Pascalite
Pascalite is a form of bentonite clay with amazing healing powers. When used topically, it pulls infections from wounds in a few hours or days, thus leading to complete recovery. The first use of Pascalite goes back to 1930s when a trapped named Emile Pascal noticed that coating his chapped hands with the substance improved and healed them.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been long used in many cultures for its healing properties and its ability to treat a wide array of diseases. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it extremely effective in treating bacterial infections and its topical use has been proven to treat MRSA and other lesions of the skin.
Oil of Oregano
Apart from being the most powerful when it comes to killing off bacteria, oregano essential oil is effective in controlling staph infections like MRSA, too. It possesses anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic, pain-relieving, and antioxidant properties. As reported by a 2001 study, oregano oil`s germ-killing qualities were as effective as most antibiotics.
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract has been long used to treat bacterial infections and many European hospitals today use to address MRSA infections. It is also known to combat antibiotic-resistant infections and boost immunity.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is extremely powerful and has been proven to kill off antibiotic-resistant MRSA on the skin.
Note: If you are planning on using it for this purpose, use tea tree oil undiluted.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is becoming all the rage these days and has gradually gained a reputation as potent immune booster and herbal antibiotic. According to Herbwisdom.com, Native Americans used to treat inflammatory internal conditions like respiratory, digestive and genitourinary tract infections with the help of goldenseal.
Echinacea
People have long used Echinacea to treat infections and open wounds like diphtheria, blood poisoning, open wounds, and other bacteria-related ailments. These days, Echinacea is used to address the symptoms of the common cold and flu.
Garlic
Whole books have been written about this tasty veggie and its wide range of health benefits and medical uses. As a matter of fact, it has been even used in 1700s to protect people from the plague. It is also known for its powerful anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibiotic properties.